Christ Church Picture Gallery
Christ Church, Saint Aldate's, Oxford, OX1 1DP, GB
Rating: 4.3 ★ (20 ratings)
Details
Within the historic walls of Christ Church, the Picture Gallery houses an internationally renowned collection, with its origins in a significant 1765 bequest from General John Guise. This remarkable assembly of nearly 300 Old Master paintings and around 2,000 drawings is considered one of the most important private collections of such works in the country. Visitors can expect to encounter masterpieces by artistic giants like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dürer, Raphael, and Rubens. The collection is particularly strong in Italian art from the 14th to the 18th centuries, featuring significant pieces by Filippino Lippi, Tintoretto, Veronese, Annibale Carracci, and Salvator Rosa. The purpose-built gallery, designed by Powell and Moya and opened in 1968, offers an architecturally interesting space to appreciate these treasures.
Accessible via Canterbury Gate off Oriel Square, the gallery provides a focused art experience separate from a full college visit, though a combined ticket offers a reduced entry fee. Regular temporary exhibitions delve into specific themes or artists, ensuring there's always something new to discover for returning visitors. While photography isn't permitted, sketching with charcoal or lead pencils is encouraged, allowing for a more personal engagement with the art. Though a 2020 theft saw three valuable paintings taken, their empty frames now hang as a poignant reminder of their absence and the ongoing story of the collection. The gallery is open most days, with slightly reduced hours on Sundays and closures on Tuesdays, making it a readily available cultural stop.
Location
Opening Hours
Monday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Tuesday: Closed; Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Thursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Contact
+44 1865 276172
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